English Literature

Janet Erickson claims that she sees energy and that by using spiritual Feng Shui healing, she can clear ones life or location of negative energy. This essay critically analyzes Spiritual Feng Shui Healing that is posted in Janet Ericksons website. Four relevant questions from Dunnings (2007) article How to spot pseudoscience will be the framework of analysis.

Does the claim meet the qualifications of a theory Ericksons claims is not verified as a theory, because her beliefs did not originate from or supported by scientific evidence. Second, her claim that she can see energy cannot even be falsified by testing in a scientific manner. Third, Feng Shui has not been specifically tested for things not yet observed. Erickson can claim that she sees negative energy and so she can repel it, but this kind of energy itself is not discernible. Fourth, Erickson does not leave any space for changes. Her belief that she can heal through energy is already seemingly uncontested for the last two decades that she claims to be able to heal people through Feng Shui.

Is the claim based on the existence of an unknown form of energy Erickson bases her claim precisely on the idea of energy. She says on her website An accumulation of negative energetic responses can produce a condition of dis-ease. She sees negative energy and she heals people from it.

Do the claimants have legitimate credentials Erickson does not have legitimate credentials. Her credentials are based on studies of unscientific fields. On her website, she says This experience inspired me to study various Alternative Therapies which resulted in my becoming a Certified Kinesiologist, a licensed Minister of Spiritual Healing and the recipient of a Master of Divinity degree.

Does the claim sound farfetched, or too good to be true Yes, Erickson makes far-fetched claims. She says Spiritual Healing and Energy Healing is the answer you have been looking for. She is assuming that she can be the solution to all problems.

Ericksons claims on spiritual healing have no scientific evidence and she has no qualified credentials as well. She makes bogus statements about energy, so that she can sell her services. Though she may be motivated to help other people, asking others to pay for something that has no scientific basis is hokey marketing that seeks material gains from pop parapsychology.